In the last few days I have been doing just that. Going through the old Stereophile Recommended Components list for the last 10-15 years and then looking at current resale value. Many highly regarded DACs from 10 years ago are selling for 25% of their original cost.
2k DAC that gives me what I want like my vintage LP12
I have zero experience in rotating DACs through my system. My Analog chain gives me exactly what I want as a listener. It is based on a vintage LP12 with a few upgrades to power supply, tonearm, cartridge, phono stage, and setup. Detailed, warm, deep silent background, and effortless delivery.
I have an Eversolo A6 and an S.M.S.L CD transport. I decided to purchase a Toppings D70 Pro Octo to feed my streamer and transport into. I was not really disappointed, but certainly not what I was looking for. I want the same or similar level of satisfaction that I feel when I listen to my Analog chain. I also want to stay at or under $2k.. I realize that the dollars in my turntable, arm, cartridge, and phono stage is more than twice that amount, but I was able to assemble it over time.
I want to start with the DAC. I can change Streamer, Server, CD Transport over time if need be. I assume that a good DAC should be able to clock other digital inputs to mitigate many of their shortcomings.
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@vthokie83 @rivington66 @fthompson251 I have yet to find a bad review or set of comments on the Denafrips Pontus or Venus. Any version - II, II/12th, or 15th. They get snapped up quickly. The IIs and 12ths are really good values on the used market. |
maam522a Yes that is true, it is why Denafrips DACs are so easy to recommend.....they rarely disappoint. They are fun, enjoyable, easy to listen to, extremely competent, never sibilant, and provide what you'd want in soundstage and imaging. What they do not do (and most R2R DACs don't either), is provide that last few percent of detail......which I do not want anyways, as I am very sensitive to sibilance; for example I cannot listen to a Chord DAC for more than short period, before it gets annoying. Here is what I can recommend, having had every one of these in my system for extended listening (and helped quite a few friends with their systems). (1) Buy a used Denafrips Pontus II DAC $1,100ish, but they sell the same day they go up so be quick. In addition buy a used Denafrips Iris DDC $400ish, and a good I2S cable such as the Supra Excalibur HDMI $110ish.....for $1,600 you have an excellent set up. This is what I've used for the last 4 years, and it's still a wonderful set up; and many here on Agon still use similar. (2) Same as #1 above, but substitute a Denafrips Pontus 12th for the DAC $1,350; total would be bumped to $1,900......slightly better than the Pontus II combination above (3) Denafrips Pontus 15th $2,019 new, or about $1,900 used if you can find them. The DAC itself is of course quite a bit better. Some prefer the Pontus 15th without a DDC like the Iris, while a few have said it still sounds better with the Iris.....to my ears they are both excellent. (4) Denafrips Venus 15th $4,000 or about $3,400 used. This DAC is basically the former Denafrips Terminator 12th DAC, utterly beautiful DAC; but I've never heard it with a DDC. If you do decide to look for used Denafrips DACs and DDCs, remember that they are highly sought after and rarely remain available for more than a few days.....or even hours. |
OP As others have posted, I am going to recommend the Denafrips Pontus line (I have the Venus) and from how it sounds, it is what you are looking for. I came from the CHORD line of products, and they are really very resolving and great sounding DACS. But for what you are looking for, then the Denafrips line is what I am highly recommending good luck |
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